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“Câmpușor urban eco-quarter” addresses need to define „Innovative Planning Instruments for a New Approach to Residential Development”, a challenge brought forward by a civic group in Sibiu, Romania, seeking to prove that by engaging all stakeholders into a co-creation process, urban development can capture the benefits of the market without compromising on living standards.

Sibiu is one of the top performer cities in Romania in recent years, both in terms of economic growth and in the number of people it has attracted. It has undergone rapid development, especially in light industrial, software and educational sectors, and following from its success as European Capital of Culture in 2007, it has become one of Romania’s most culturally lively cities.

Câmpușor is a former agricultural area located in the south-western part of the city, between the river Cibin and the railway, at walking distance from the Historic Centre. The proximity of the Sibiu international airport and of the Western Industrial Area (the Western Economic Centre) offer exceptional opportunities for growth and justify the need for new housing. The ownership and actual structure of the land parcels though represents a challenge that is primarily addressed within the current proposal.

After its integration in the urban area of the city in 2011, Câmpușor became the forefront of new urbanization. Its current parcellation and land ownership require approaches which go beyond the typical planning methods and which would both respect private property rights and at the same time ensure an integrated and sustainable development of the site.
The proposed solution envisages the design of a development model, comprising a set of recommendations for public policies and supported by participatory and capacity building actions. This model will foster the development of a unique neighbourhood in Sibiu, an urban eco-quarter which is:
- eco-friendly and self-sustainable, with superior living standards and high quality of supporting services;
- inclusive, resilient and attractive, with a strong community and committed stakeholders.

Câmpușor is a 180-ha area, largely unbuilt, divided in 203 strip-shape plots in private ownership. The utilities infrastructure is almost non-existent, as well as any other kind of services necessary for a good quality of life. However, the location of the site and the surrounding natural, cultural and economic urban functions offer exceptional opportunities for a sustainable growth, providing highest quality of life and supporting services.

The primary scope of the initiative is to support stakeholders in designing a process of land assembly which respects the adopted urban regulations, is well-connected and integrated in the existing urban fabric and meets the needs and rights of the actual owners.

The process will imply a high degree of public participation and involvement of the local community, who will have a central role in the development process. The objectives of the proposal will be achieved by involving all range of actors, who will guide and oversee the implementation process. Particularly, these actors are:
- Land owners, 203 private entities representing the primary beneficiaries of the new proposal;
- Managing authorities: the Sibiu Municipality, the Sibiu County Council, the Central Regional Development Agency;
- Private investors and developers: the Real Estate Agency “Terra” initiated the formulation of the Zonal Urban Plan (PUZ);
- The civic sector;
- Other stakeholders and managing authorities: Apele Române, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Transportation, etc.

As part of the proposal philosophy, the development of the ”Câmpușor eco-quarter” will foresee the creation of a Local Stakeholders Group (LSG), consisting of representatives of the above-mentioned groups of interest. The LSG will act as driver and mediator of the process and will be assisted by qualified local and international experts. The LSG is an informal body with the opportunity to be institutionalized after the 6-month project implementation. This is an innovative practice in Romania, with the possibility of replication in other similar areas in the country and beyond.